I could be wrong but I think I do understand your issue .
I think the problem is that you have "nested" View Options set as default views (i.e., to use your wording, the top level of the startup disk has View Options set to include large icons with the Browse box ticked which applies it to all subfolders).
The problem is that any sub-folder with its ow View Options will ignore the View Option of its parent folder.
To permanently change the view of the top level of the startup disk and all subsequently sub-folders you need to:
1. Set the view in the top level of the start up disk to the way you want, select / tick the Browse box and then select "Use as defaults"
2. Any subfolder that does not adopt the View Options of its parent folder is because that subfolder has its own specific View Options. To fix this you need to set that subfolder's specific view back to defaults (by pressing the option key and then clicking the "Restore to defaults") so that the subfolder will now take the View Options of its parent folder.
If I misunderstood, apologies!
